Golf cart crossing now open on U.S. 441

Bill Ritchie, who lives in Spruce Creek South, negotiates other motorists as he drives his golf cart in the new golf cart crossing at the intersection of U.S. 441 and Southeast 175th Place, across the highway from Spruce Creek South, in Summerfield, Fla. on Friday, June 6, 2014. Last week state transportation officials legalized the golf cart crossing where the highway meets Southeast 176th Street and Southeast 175th Place. The crossing connects the Stonecrest and Spruce Creek South subdivisions.

Published: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 8:49 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 8:49 p.m.

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Last week, after state transportation officials gave their blessing, a new golf-cart crossing opened where the highway meets Southeast 176th Street in south Marion County.

Proponents of the pathway advocated for the crossing for nearly two years and contend the new access has improved life for residents of the Stonecrest and Spruce Creek South communities.

“It's really great. It's made things a lot more convenient,” said Micky Hardin, a Spruce Creek South resident who led the campaign for the crossing in July 2012.

Hardin, whose community is on the west side of U.S. 441, said crossing the four-lane highway was not a big issue for him. He owns a “street-legal” golf cart, which meant it could be used on the roads.

But he and others, including those within Stonecrest, which is on the east side of the highway, believed the lack of a dedicated crossing was hindering residents with traditional golf carts from enjoying some services. They contend the lack of a crossing was putting people at risk.

Hardin said some Spruce Creek South residents who work at a nearby Wal-Mart, eat at the new Darrell's Diner or visit stores on the other side were crossing U.S. 441 illegally in their carts.

“It allows people over here to go shopping or to restaurants, and they don't have to start up a car. It's made it where people don't feel uncomfortable,” Hardin said.

On the other side of the road, Stonecrest resident David Murphy, another advocate of the crossing, said traversing U.S. 441 was not as big an issue for him because he already had access to those places.

But some people within Stonecrest visit Spruce Creek South because they work or have friends there, or want to play golf. So the crossing has benefitted them, he said.

“We worked very hard to get it,” said Murphy, who thanked County Commissioner Stan McClain and county staff for lobbying the state for the crossing. “It's worked out great for all the residents on this side of 441.”

The Florida Department of Transportation approved the crossing on May 15. That was 19 months after the County Commission voted to ask the FDOT to consider installing it.

The process involved conducting an engineering study to ensure the golf-cart users would be safe.

FDOT's approval of the Summerfield site put the crossing in rare company.

According to Olson, transportation officials have supported allowing golf carts to legally cross four-lane highways at just two other locations within the region: State Road 19 and Lake Harris Drive in Tavares and State Road 44 and Canal Street in Leesburg.

Locally, the County Commission had previously green-lighted golf carts for crossing streets in The Villages of Marion and at On Top of the World.

<p>Some Summerfield residents are welcoming a switch from cars to carts, thanks to a new crossing along U.S. 441.</p><p>Last week, after state transportation officials gave their blessing, a new golf-cart crossing opened where the highway meets Southeast 176th Street in south Marion County.</p><p>Proponents of the pathway advocated for the crossing for nearly two years and contend the new access has improved life for residents of the Stonecrest and Spruce Creek South communities.</p><p>“It's really great. It's made things a lot more convenient,” said Micky Hardin, a Spruce Creek South resident who led the campaign for the crossing in July 2012.</p><p>Hardin, whose community is on the west side of U.S. 441, said crossing the four-lane highway was not a big issue for him. He owns a “street-legal” golf cart, which meant it could be used on the roads.</p><p>But he and others, including those within Stonecrest, which is on the east side of the highway, believed the lack of a dedicated crossing was hindering residents with traditional golf carts from enjoying some services. They contend the lack of a crossing was putting people at risk.</p><p>Hardin said some Spruce Creek South residents who work at a nearby Wal-Mart, eat at the new Darrell's Diner or visit stores on the other side were crossing U.S. 441 illegally in their carts.</p><p>“It allows people over here to go shopping or to restaurants, and they don't have to start up a car. It's made it where people don't feel uncomfortable,” Hardin said.</p><p>On the other side of the road, Stonecrest resident David Murphy, another advocate of the crossing, said traversing U.S. 441 was not as big an issue for him because he already had access to those places.</p><p>But some people within Stonecrest visit Spruce Creek South because they work or have friends there, or want to play golf. So the crossing has benefitted them, he said.</p><p>“We worked very hard to get it,” said Murphy, who thanked County Commissioner Stan McClain and county staff for lobbying the state for the crossing. “It's worked out great for all the residents on this side of 441.”</p><p>The Florida Department of Transportation approved the crossing on May 15. That was 19 months after the County Commission voted to ask the FDOT to consider installing it.</p><p>The process involved conducting an engineering study to ensure the golf-cart users would be safe.</p><p>“The golf cart crossing was found to meet our criteria for a signalized intersection to safely accommodate a golf cart crossing across U.S. 441, serving the adjoining residential neighborhoods,” FDOT spokesman Steve Olson noted.</p><p>FDOT's approval of the Summerfield site put the crossing in rare company.</p><p>According to Olson, transportation officials have supported allowing golf carts to legally cross four-lane highways at just two other locations within the region: State Road 19 and Lake Harris Drive in Tavares and State Road 44 and Canal Street in Leesburg.</p><p>Locally, the County Commission had previously green-lighted golf carts for crossing streets in The Villages of Marion and at On Top of the World.</p><p><i>Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or bill.thompson@ocala.com.</i></p>